'The law enforcers in this country should arrest the environmental criminals who have burned the land,' said Riau-chapter WALHI executive director Riko Kurniawan in Pekanbaru on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said the current dry season was the right time for investigators to obtain evidence related to the land burning.

According to WALHI data, land and forest burning in Riau had occurred since 1997. In carrying out the crime, many perpetrators burn the land for industrial plantations.

Riko said he very much regretted that the practice was considered normal every dry season. Land fires had negative impacts on the health, education and transportation sectors.

'The government should impose a moratorium on new land clearing activities during the dry season,' said Riko, adding that concession owners should also be responsible for maintaining and protecting their concessions from any burning activity.

Land and forest fires have left several areas in Riau, such as Bengkalis, Dumai, Pelalawan and Pekanbaru, blanketed with smoke.

Riko said such poor air quality had posed health risks, in particular to children and the elderly as well as to those who suffered from heart and lung problems.

'As part of its responsibility to protect its people, the government should provide free healthcare treatment for those suffering because of the smoke,' he said. (ebf)

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